Budget Auto X Tires by Federal

[Solar]

I have always been using RS3s, but they are getting pricey, so I was looking to save a couple bucks. I was told Federal has a decent cheap performance tire called a "595". I ordered two and received them today and realized I ordered the wrong ones. I found out that Federal has 3 different series of "595" tires, they produce a 595, 595evo, and a 595rsr. The basic 595 is a 240 treadwear AA summer tire, the 595evo is also a 240 treadwear AA tire but is a all season tire, and the 595rsr is a 140 treadwear AA performance tire.

I got 2 of the 595 summer tires (225/45/17) for $188 shipped, I figure for the price they're worth checking out, though the 595rsr's would've only cost $20 more (err). Going to mount them up on the rear and run my slightly used RS3s on the front and see how they do this Saturday at the Corvette Club event at Brooksville this Saturday.

I will update after the event.

[Loren]

FYI, we'll probably follow SCCA's lead and change our "street tire" treadwear requirement to 190. So, if you get the RSR's, plan on using them up by September!

(or just wait until Federal gets around to changing the rating on that tire to be >190)

[Solar]

FYI, we'll probably follow SCCA's lead and change our "street tire" treadwear requirement to 190. So, if you get the RSR's, plan on using them up by September!

(or just wait until Federal gets around to changing the rating on that tire to be >190)

Yup, I was thinking the same thing.

[BrandLoyal]

but do the treads have the pretty little flames that wears off after 10 miles like the RS3's?

[Jamie]

FYI, we'll probably follow SCCA's lead and change our "street tire" treadwear requirement to 200.

[Tim_M]

Are those Chinese made? Curious at the road force, but if used for autocross not nearly as critical.

[Solar]

Are those Chinese made? Curious at the road force, but if used for autocross not nearly as critical.

They're made in Taiwan, side wall says, "verified in Europe" whatever that means, and they're V rated, so they are good for Autocross. I wouldn't be comfortable using them at a track day though.

Got them mounted today, and not sure if this really means anything, but they balanced out really well compared to the many RS3s I had in the passed. No more than a half ounce of weight on each wheel; took the car out on I-275 and was very smooth, no vibration. I will see how well they grip and heat cycle in the next couple weeks, I'm not expecting anymore performance from them than what I paid.

[Tim_M]

Brian, not a knock...just curious at the quality of various tires. Tire balance/road force seems to be an issue with my backside. I've mainly had challenges with BFG's and Nittos (might be from how many I've used!)...never know if it is the tire balance or tire quality.

I do take note to see if they actually spin the tire to minimize balance-the last visit they did not...lined up the paint dab with the tire stem and called it good. I have very slight imbalance now...

Of course a firmly sprung car accentuates the issue.

[jesup16]

I've heard the 595rsr's aren't too bad, but they get greasy when hot. Probably not the ideal tire to have in FL.

I still think the RS3 is the overall best tire for FL.

Jake Engstrom went crazy fast last weekend on the zII star specs. But that was at GCAC, where all the runs are on cold tires. I don't think the verdict is quite out on these.

[Solar]

Brian, not a knock...just curious at the quality of various.

Tim, knock away, I think I understand what you're saying though. I've been using the same tire shop over the pasted 6 or so years, they have good equipment and do a good job. Yup, there's been a couple times when they didn't line up the valve stem mark, but it's not a huge deal for me. I've never had a issue with tire balance from their shop. Though, for the most part, every time I've had new RS3s mounted, I've seen anywhere from 1 ounce to 4 ounces of weight applied to the wheels. To me anything over 2.5 ounces is bad, but I always thought that it was just my wheels, and since I just used the car for AutoX I didn't put to much thought into it.

I bought a couple of cheap tires, (though I bought the wrong ones), just to see how they perform, I'm not expecting them to be as good as RS3s. I put them on my Nissan that I only use for Autocrossing, the car isn't my DD, so I thought I'd try a cheap tire. This is just a "cheap experiment" to see if the Federal 595s are any good, I'm pretty confident that they will be a safe all around tire going to and from a event. I'm not confident that they will be a good Autocross tire though, but saving $130 for two tires over buying RS3s, I'm going to try anyhow.

I've heard the 595rsr's aren't too bad, but they get greasy when hot. Probably not the ideal tire to have in FL.

I still think the RS3 is the overall best tire for FL.

I agree, I've been very happy with using RS3s over the years, they heat cycle well, and have tons of grip. I'm just having a hard time paying $130 for one tire plus shipping. Just a few years ago I could buy a 225/45/17 RS3 for under a $100, them days are gone lol.

[Solar]

At Brooksville today, the Federals were pretty good, once I figured how to drive my car with them, I started to feel more confident driving with them. This was the first time I had a different tire on my car, and it forced me to drive a little differently. I wasn't use to dealing with lots of oversteer, but adjusting air pressures after my first 4 runs, they started to come to life.

Thinking running RS3s on the front and the Feds on the rear might be a good set up on my car. I will know next week if I feel the same way.